tow GMC YUKON DENALI 2008 Owner's Manual

The tow/haul mode and grade braking shift modes can be
activated by pressing the button on the end of the shift
control stalk. While in the DSC mode, grade braking is
deactivated, allowing the driver to select a gear.
SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation on page 2-30for
more information.
Parking Brake
To set the parking brake, hold the regular brake pedal
down with your right foot. Push down the parking
brake pedal with your left foot.
A chime sounds and the warning light ashes when the
parking brake is applied and the vehicle is moving at
least 5 mph (8 km/h).
To release the parking brake, hold the regular brake
pedal down. Then pull the bottom edge of the lever, with
the parking brake symbol and located above the
parking brake pedal.
If the ignition is on when the parking brake is released,
the brake system warning light goes off.
Notice:Driving with the parking brake on can
overheat the brake system and cause premature
wear or damage to brake system parts. Make sure
that the parking brake is fully released and the brake
warning light is off before driving.
If you are towing a trailer and are parking on any hill,
seeTowing a Trailer on page 4-42.
2-35

Shifting Into PARK (P)
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. If you have left the engine running, the
vehicle can move suddenly. You or others
could be injured. To be sure your vehicle will
not move, even when you are on fairly level
ground, use the steps that follow. If you are
pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-42.
1. Hold the brake pedal down with your right foot and
set the parking brake.
2. Move the shift lever into the PARK (P) position by
pulling the shift lever toward you and moving it up
as far as it will go.
3. Turn the ignition key to LOCK/OFF.
4. Remove the key and take it with you. If you can
leave your vehicle with the ignition key in your
hand, your vehicle is in PARK (P).
Leaving Your Vehicle With the Engine
Running
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to leave your vehicle with
the engine running. Your vehicle could move
suddenly if the shift lever is not fully in
PARK (P) with the parking brake rmly set.
And, if you leave the vehicle with the engine
running, it could overheat and even catch re.
You or others could be injured. Do not leave
your vehicle with the engine running.
If you have to leave your vehicle with the engine
running, be sure your vehicle is in PARK (P) and the
parking brake is rmly set. After the shift lever is moved
into PARK (P), hold the regular brake pedal down.
Then, see if you can move the shift lever away from
PARK (P) without rst pulling it toward you. If you can, it
means that the shift lever was not fully locked into
PARK (P).
2-36

Running the Engine While Parked
It is better not to park with the engine running. But if you
ever have to, here are some things to know.
{CAUTION:
Idling the engine with the climate control
system off could allow dangerous exhaust into
your vehicle. See the earlier caution under
Engine Exhaust on page 2-38.
Also, idling in a closed-in place can let deadly
carbon monoxide (CO) into your vehicle even if
the climate control fan is at the highest setting.
One place this can happen is a garage.
Exhaust — with CO — can come in easily.
NEVER park in a garage with the engine
running.
Another closed-in place can be a blizzard. See
Winter Driving on page 4-29.
{CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to get out of your vehicle
if the shift lever is not fully in PARK (P) with
the parking brake rmly set. Your vehicle can
roll. Do not leave your vehicle when the engine
is running unless you have to. If you have left
the engine running, the vehicle can move
suddenly. You or others could be injured. To
be sure your vehicle will not move, even when
you are on fairly level ground, always set the
parking brake and move the shift lever to
PARK (P).
Follow the proper steps to be sure your vehicle will not
move. SeeShifting Into PARK (P) on page 2-36.
If you are pulling a trailer, seeTowing a Trailer on
page 4-42.
2-39

Compass Calibration
The compass may need calibration if one of the
following occurs:
After approximately ve seconds, the display does
not show a compass heading (N for North, for
example), there may be a strong magnetic eld
interfering with the compass. Such interference may
be caused by a magnetic antenna mount, magnetic
note pad holder or a similar magnetic item.
The compass does not display the correct heading
and the compass zone variance is set correctly.
In order to calibrate, CAL must be displayed in the
mirror compass windows. If CAL is not displayed, push
the on/off button for approximately 12 seconds or
until CAL is displayed.
The compass can be calibrated by driving the vehicle in
circles at 5 mph (8 km/h) or less until the display
reads a direction.
Cleaning the Mirror
When cleaning the mirror, use a paper towel or similar
material dampened with glass cleaner. Do not spray
glass cleaner directly on the mirror as that may cause
the liquid cleaner to enter the mirror housing.
Outside Power Foldaway Mirrors
The outside power
foldaway mirror controls
are located on the driver’s
door armrest.
Press (A) to select the driver’s side mirror. Then
press the arrows located on the four-way control
pad to adjust the mirror. Press (A) again to deselect
the mirror.
Press (B) to select the passenger’s side mirror.
Then press the arrows located on the four-way
control pad to adjust the mirror. Press (B) again to
deselect the mirror.
Press (C) to fold the mirrors out to the driving
position.
Press (D) to fold the mirrors in to the folded position.
2-42

A tow bar is attached to your vehicle.
The vehicle’s bumper is damaged. Take the vehicle
to your dealer/retailer to repair the system.
Other conditions may affect system performance,
such as vibrations from a jackhammer or the
compression of air brakes on a very large truck.
If the system is still disabled, after driving forward at
least 15 mph (25 km/h), take your vehicle to your
dealer/retailer.
OnStar®System
OnStar uses several innovative technologies and live
advisors to provide you with a wide range of safety,
security, information, and convenience services. If your
airbags deploy, the system is designed to make an
automatic call to OnStar Emergency advisors who can
request emergency services be sent to your location.If you lock your keys in the vehicle, call OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR and they can send a signal to unlock
your doors. If you need roadside assistance, press
the OnStar button and they can contact Roadside
Service for you.
OnStar service is provided to you subject to the OnStar
Terms and Conditions. You may cancel your OnStar
service at any time by contacting OnStar. A complete
OnStar Owner’s Guide and the OnStar Terms and
Conditions are included in the vehicle’s OnStar
Subscriber glove box literature. For more information,
visit onstar.com or onstar.ca, contact OnStar at
1-888-4-ONSTAR (1-888-466-7827) or TTY
1-877-248-2080, or press the OnStar button to speak
with an OnStar advisor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Not all OnStar features are available on all vehicles.
To check if your vehicle is equipped to provide the
services described below, or for a full description of
OnStar services and system limitations, see the OnStar
Owner’s Guide in your glove box or visit onstar.com.
2-47

Cargo Cover
{CAUTION:
An improperly stored cargo cover could be
thrown about the vehicle during a collision or
sudden maneuver. You or others could be
injured. If you remove the cover, always store
it in the proper storage location. When you put
it back, always be sure that it is securely
reattached.
If your vehicle has a cargo cover, you can use it to
cover items in the cargo area of your vehicle.
To use the cover, do the following:
1. Pull the cover handle toward the rear of the vehicle.
2. Latch the cover posts into the retaining sockets
on the cargo area trim panels.
To return the cover to the retracted position, do the
following:
1. Pull up on the cover handle to release the cover
posts from the retaining sockets.
2. Let the cover move forward to the full retracted
position.To remove the cover, from a regular wheelbase model,
do the following:
1. Let the cover go all the way into the holder.
2. Then, grasping the driver’s side cover end cap,
push the cover end cap toward the passenger’s
side of the vehicle.
3. Swing the cover rearward and take it out of the
vehicle.
To put the cover in the vehicle, do the following:
1. Make sure the cover slot in the holder faces
rearward with the round surface facing down.
2. Then, hold the cover at an angle and place the
cover end cap into the slot in the passenger’s
side trim panel.
3. Move the other end of the cover forward and hold it
next to the driver’s side trim panel slot.
4. Press the end caps in, this will allow the cover to t
into the trim slot.
5. Lightly pull on the cover holder to make sure it is
secure.
On the extended wheelbase models there are two
cover positions. The slots furthest forward allow
the cover to be used if the third seat is removed or
folded down. The cover can be installed and
removed from either side.
2-61

Engine Coolant Temperature Gage..................3-41
Tire Pressure Light.......................................3-41
Malfunction Indicator Lamp.............................3-42
Oil Pressure Gage........................................3-45
Oil Pressure Light.........................................3-46
Security Light...............................................3-46
Fog Lamp Light............................................3-47
Cruise Control Light......................................3-47
Highbeam On Light.......................................3-47
Tow/Haul Mode Light....................................3-47
Fuel Gage...................................................3-48
Low Fuel Warning Light.................................3-48
Driver Information Center (DIC).......................3-49
DIC Operation and Displays
(Using DIC Buttons)...................................3-49
DIC Operation and Displays
(Using Trip Odometer Reset Stem)..............3-54DIC Warnings and Messages.........................3-56
DIC Vehicle Customization (With DIC Buttons). . . .3-64
Audio System(s).............................................3-73
Setting the Clock..........................................3-74
Radio(s) (MP3).............................................3-76
Using an MP3 (Radio with Six-Disc Player)......3-94
Using an MP3 (Radio with CD and DVD
Player).....................................................3-99
XM Radio Messages...................................3-104
Navigation/Radio System..............................3-105
Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System.........3-105
Rear Seat Audio (RSA)................................3-115
Theft-Deterrent Feature................................3-116
Audio Steering Wheel Controls......................3-117
Radio Reception.........................................3-118
Rear Side Window Antenna..........................3-119
XM™ Satellite Radio Antenna System............3-119
Section 3 Instrument Panel
3-2

A. Air Outlets. SeeOutlet Adjustment on page 3-29.
B. Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever. SeeTurn
Signal/Multifunction Lever on page 3-8.
C. Instrument Panel Cluster. SeeInstrument Panel
Cluster on page 3-32.
D. Shift Lever. SeeAutomatic Transmission Operation
on page 2-30.
E. Tow/Haul Selector Button. SeeTow/Haul Mode on
page 2-34.
F. Driver Information Center Controls. SeeDriver
Information Center (DIC) on page 3-49.
G. Audio System. SeeAudio System(s) on page 3-73.
H. Exterior Lamps Control. SeeExterior Lamps on
page 3-16.
I. Dome Lamp Override Button. SeeDome Lamp
Override on page 3-20. Instrument Panel Brightness
Control. SeeInstrument Panel Brightness on
page 3-19. Fog Lamps. SeeFog Lamps on
page 3-19.J. Cruise Control Buttons. SeeCruise Control on
page 3-13. Heated Steering Wheel Button (If
Equipped). SeeHeated Steering Wheel on page 3-7.
K. Tilt Wheel Lever. SeeTilt Wheel on page 3-7.
L. Horn. SeeHorn on page 3-6.
M. Audio Steering Wheel Controls. SeeAudio Steering
Wheel Controls on page 3-117.
N. Dual Automatic Climate Controls. SeeDual
Automatic Climate Control System on page 3-23.
O. Accessory Power Outlets. SeeAccessory Power
Outlet(s) on page 3-21. Cigarette Lighter (If
Equipped). SeeAshtray(s) and Cigarette Lighter on
page 3-22.
P. StabiliTrak
®Button. SeeStabiliTrak®System on
page 4-6. Rear Park Aid Disable Button. See
Ultrasonic Rear Parking Assist (URPA) on
page 2-44.
Q. Glove Box. SeeGlove Box on page 2-58.
3-5

Turn Signal/Multifunction Lever
The lever on the left side of the steering column
includes the following:
G(Turn and Lane Change Signals):SeeTurn and
Lane-Change Signals on page 3-8.
53(Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer):See
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer on page 3-9.
Flash-to-Pass. SeeFlash-to-Pass on page 3-9.
N(Windshield Wipers):SeeWindshield Wipers on
page 3-10.
L(Windshield Washer):SeeWindshield Washer on
page 3-11.
5(Rear Wiper Delay):SeeRear Window
Wiper/Washer on page 3-12.
Z(Rear Wiper):SeeRear Window Wiper/Washer on
page 3-12.
=(Rear Wiper Wash):SeeRear Window
Wiper/Washer on page 3-12.
Turn and Lane-Change Signals
The turn signal has two upward (for right) and two
downward (for left) positions. These positions allow you
to signal a turn or a lane change.
To signal a turn, move the lever all the way up or down.
When the turn is nished, the lever will return
automatically.
To signal a lane change, raise or lower the lever for less
than one second until the arrow starts to ash. This will
cause the turn signals to automatically ash three times.
It will ash six times if tow-haul mode is active. Holding
the turn signal lever for more than one second will cause
the turn signals to ash until you release the lever. The
lever will return by itself when it is released.
3-8

An arrow on the instrument
panel cluster will ash in
the direction of the
turn or lane change.
As you signal a turn or a lane change, if the arrows ash
more quickly than normal, a signal bulb may be burned
out and other drivers will not see your turn signal.
If a bulb is burned out, replace it to help avoid an
accident. If the arrows do not go on at all when you
signal a turn, check for burned-out bulbs and a
blown fuse. SeeFuses and Circuit Breakers on
page 5-108.
Turn Signal On Chime
If your turn signal is left on for more than 3/4 of a mile
(1.2 km), a chime will sound at each ash of the
turn signal and the message TURN SIGNAL ON will
also appear in the Driver Information Control (DIC).
To turn the chime and message off, move the turn signal
lever to the off position.
Headlamp High/Low-Beam Changer
53(Headlamp High/Low Beam Changer):To
change the headlamps from low to high beam, push the
lever toward the instrument panel. To return to
low-beam headlamps, pull the multifunction lever toward
you. Then release it.
When the high beams are
on, this indicator light on
the instrument panel
cluster will also be on.
Flash-to-Pass
This feature lets you use your high-beam headlamps to
signal a driver in front of you that you want to pass.
It works even if your headlamps are in the automatic
position.
To use it, pull the turn signal lever toward you, then
release it.
3-9